Buying 2004 GS Saturday - anything I need to know?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jack.pe
  • Start date Start date

jack.pe

Guest
Hi,

Am picking up a 2004 GS, 18500 miles on the clock. Is there anyhting in particular I need to ask about? Used to have 1150 so good to be back in the fold!

1. Have there been any recalls on these models?
2. I hear finish and reliability is not as good as the 1150s is there anyhting specific to check?
3. It has ABS, a BMW top box, heated grips and I will get it for £5300 does this sound ok?
4. When are the big services?last one was last year at 18000 miles but it only cost £250 so I presume it did not include a valve check
5. Bike has only done about 700miles in two years, apart from battery can this cause any other problems?
6. What worth while upgrades should I be thinking of for the future?
7. Heard of problems with final drive failing.. is this common? expensive to fix? can it be prevented?
8.Fuel pump controller also known to fail, do I need to keep a spare?

Thanks

Jack
 
jack.pe said:
Hi,

Am picking up a 2004 GS, 18500 miles on the clock. Is there anyhting in particular I need to ask about? Used to have 1150 so good to be back in the fold!

1. Have there been any recalls on these models?
2. I hear finish and reliability is not as good as the 1150s is there anyhting specific to check?
3. It has ABS, a BMW top box, heated grips and I will get it for £5300 does this sound ok?
4. When are the big services?last one was last year at 18000 miles but it only cost £250 so I presume it did not include a valve check
5. Bike has only done about 700miles in two years, apart from battery can this cause any other problems?
6. What worth while upgrades should I be thinking of for the future?
7. Heard of problems with final drive failing.. is this common? expensive to fix? can it be prevented?
8.Fuel pump controller also known to fail, do I need to keep a spare?

Thanks

Jack
Click to expand...
I have a 2004 gs, 13,000 miles, it's been reliable with none of the problems mentioned. I changed the FD oil myself at around 1000 miles. You could ask the dealer most of the questions, assuming you're getting it from one?
 
I used to be on this site before when i had the 1150 GS and the lack of response has brought it all back.. you're not the most prolific posters..!

The bike is being bought privately, thought this would have been obvious from the price, or are dealers charging so little?

Am organising the cash today but I am a bit nervous about spending so much cash in these difficult times. Anyhow, if anyone can give me any tips for the questions I asked I would be really greatful and it would go some way towards reassuring me..

I also noticed that the vario panniers (that the bike does not come with) son't seem to come up for sale much.. is this the case? and how much do they go for second hand?
 
jack.pe said:
I used to be on this site before when i had the 1150 GS and the lack of response has brought it all back.. you're not the most prolific posters..!

The bike is being bought privately, thought this would have been obvious from the price, or are dealers charging so little?

Am organising the cash today but I am a bit nervous about spending so much cash in these difficult times. Anyhow, if anyone can give me any tips for the questions I asked I would be really greatful and it would go some way towards reassuring me..

I also noticed that the vario panniers (that the bike does not come with) son't seem to come up for sale much.. is this the case? and how much do they go for second hand?
Click to expand...


They may just be ignoring you as all of your questions will be answered if you do searches using the search function.

So thats what i would suggest doing as nobody will want to go to the trouble of writing a big list for you if you can find out the info yourself.

HTH
 
wow, 12 hrs has passed since your original posting and only one reply, that it disappointing considering 8 of thos 12hrs most people would have been in bed !
 
jack.pe said:
I also noticed that the vario panniers (that the bike does not come with) son't seem to come up for sale much.. is this the case? and how much do they go for second hand?
Click to expand...

you will probably be looking at around £100 a box as a good 2nd hand price
 
You've not really done much research have you, given you are asking such fundamental questions a couple of days before handing over your well earned.

I hate mine, the last four years have been a nightmare. Cr@p bikes, I wouldn't get it if I were you :P

Andres
 
If anyone hates the bike that much, kinda makes you wonder why they'd want to bother with its dedicated forum? But then maybe some people just like whinging!

I've had a 2004 for three years and so far it's been an utterly reliable and fantastic ride. There was a recall for re-routing the front brake hoses, and if this isn't logged in the handbook, ask a dealer to check their records to make sure everything required has been done. The only other minor issue was with the gear indicator; this is a fairly common fault caused by water getting into the potentiometer. Since being replaced under warranty 30 months ago, it's been fine.

Don't listen to the whingers; for every one that has suffered problems there are dozens and dozens that are fault-free and give their owners immense pleasure. The infallible machine has never been made but the R1200GS is a truly great bike.
 
JPB said:
If anyone hates the bike that much, kinda makes you wonder why they'd want to bother with its dedicated forum? But then maybe some people just like whinging!

I've had a 2004 for three years and so far it's been an utterly reliable and fantastic ride. There was a recall for re-routing the front brake hoses, and if this isn't logged in the handbook, ask a dealer to check their records to make sure everything required has been done. The only other minor issue was with the gear indicator; this is a fairly common fault caused by water getting into the potentiometer. Since being replaced under warranty 30 months ago, it's been fine.

Don't listen to the whingers; for every one that has suffered problems there are dozens and dozens that are fault-free and give their owners immense pleasure. The infallible machine has never been made but the R1200GS is a truly great bike.
Click to expand...


Thanks JPB!
 
Outtomunch said:
You've not really done much research have you, given you are asking such fundamental questions a couple of days before handing over your well earned.

I hate mine, the last four years have been a nightmare. Cr@p bikes, I wouldn't get it if I were you :P

Andres
Click to expand...

Outtomunch said:
You've not really done much research have you, given you are asking such fundamental questions a couple of days before handing over your well earned.

I hate mine, the last four years have been a nightmare. Cr@p bikes, I wouldn't get it if I were you :P

Andres
Click to expand...

Not sure if you're being sarcastic or not about hating the bike.. presume you are?

As for research have done a bit but was originally going to go for a KTM 950 and did a lot of research on that side. Have since opted for the GS and have looked a lot of the stuff up but confirmation to those questions will still be useful.
 
jack.pe said:
Not sure if you're being sarcastic or not about hating the bike.. presume you are?

As for research have done a bit but was originally going to go for a KTM 950 and did a lot of research on that side. Have since opted for the GS and have looked a lot of the stuff up but confirmation to those questions will still be useful.
Click to expand...

I guess the're ok ;)

Just a bit concerned that you are asking some rather fundamental Q's about something that you seem to have decided to buy, tomorrow.

I'm not being funny, but, you really are best off searching on the topics you have asked about as some of the subjects have fairly objective answers and others are just a matter of opinion.

FWIW

Any recall work will have been sorted as long as it's been WBM serviced and everything is up to date.

Fuel pump controllers and the engine imobiliser ring around the ignition switch can go at any mileage - carry spares (not ideal but what most of us do).

Finish - I think mine's overall brill'. Front engine covers bubble at the bottom mounting points.

6k minor service 12k major (every other 12k is major, major).

As long as it's had an oil change lack of annual mileage should be fine (you mention battery :thumb2)

Price sounds good - £5k should secure it.

Final drives can go, earlier bikes may be worse :nenau Check for back wheel play; should not be discernable. Expensive for a new unit, s/h ones cheap (but unknown entity).

That should be enough to be getting on with but if you are seriously concerned use the search button and sit back with a cup of tea, read and draw your own conclusions. Everything you need to know, and more, is there!

Andres

PS My '05 GS is the best bike I've ever owned in 30 years of biking :thumb2
 
I like the "HTH" answers you're getting, - HNTH more like! :rolleyes:

As mentioned: Engine cover - the oval one at the front is prone to corrosion and blistering as are various other ally places on the engine casing like valve covers, cooling fins etc. It can look crap but is not 'life theatening'.

A bigger problem are the gearbox oil seals which are notorious for developing leaks. - A major job to repair as it involves splitting the bike in half to get to them.

Tell-tale seepage down the side of the joint between gearbox/engine are an indicator. - I had mine done under goodwill, though I think you would be looking at the thick end of a grand (BMW prices) to change a couple of ten quid seals otherwise. If they go badly you'll get clutch contaminated with oil.

see here
 
Hi Jack, welcome back to the world of GS'ing.

Thinks I'd be concerned about with any 1200:

1) Final drive - Check for play/wear.
2) Gearbox - Check for black oil stains at the joint face between engine/gearbox.
3) ABS Brakes - The fluid needs changing every 4 years. Has it been done? It's either a dealer job, or take it to a mate who knows BMW ABS and has the filling funnel and a GS-911 device to test for fault codes.(It's what I did).
4)Corrosion - as already stated on the front engine cover, cyl head covers and gearbox/final drive casings.
5) Software - Does the Aux power socket cycle on/off intermittently? If it does, the bikes needs a dealer software update.
6) Rear Disk/Pads - The OEM disks are made of chocolate not steel and are prone to wearing out quickly and/or warping and some also eat rear pads for breakfast.
7) Fuel pump controller - Mine went at 3 years old. Worth getting a new spare. You'll need one eventually anyway.

DIY servicing on the 1200's in no more difficult than the earlier models, in fact it is a doddle.

Don't get too paranoid, despite the above list they are actually a great bike.
Check the above plus the usual checks for any bike eg HPI for write off/outstanding finance, then paperwork versus VIN number, test ride for smooth gears, good brakes etc. If the seller seems legit and the gut feeling is good, I'd buy it.
 
Servicing

"......Any recall work will have been sorted as long as it's been WBM serviced and everything is up to date...."

This is the most important point of all; It may be 'a doodle' to do the servicing yourself - but if I was buying a bike I would not touch it if it had been serviced by the previous owner UNLESS I knew that he was competent - apart from all the obvious points such as using correct components, recalls all attended to etc;etc; My first 1200 was a 2004 model and it never gave me the slightest problem. ' Serviced by the dealer at correct intervals;) Don't ask me why I part exchanged it for the 2008 model - which is virtually the same - just to keep the economy turning over I suppose!
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

  • Locked
What do I need to know about the K1200s?
Replies
11
Views
2,476
timeandtide
timeandtide
forry
Is there anything else i need to know"replacing rear wheel bearing
2
Replies
20
Views
4,622
forry
forry
What do i need to know
Replies
2
Views
1,448
Vern
Vern


Back
Top Bottom